I haven't read the whole thread but here are my views on the OP.
Without question he has the game in his locker to become a world class player, however, I think that locker won't be opened fully due to his bad attitude. The first time I really took this kid seriously was when he scored 5 goals for the U21's in a cup match when he was about 16, at that point I thought WOW this kid is going to something else.
He has progressed and was managed very well (with regards to devolving his game) under Rodgers. Many thought he would simply be a winger but Rodgers managed to get him to play anywhere across the front three with ease. Clearly he's still ruff around the edges and his game needs fine tuning - that's where his attitude may well stump his progression. The trouble is he thinks he's the best about, and he's not - far from it in fact. The fact he's just broken the record for a signing fee will only go to his head even more.
Quite simply if he knuckles down and trains hard he will become one of the best about. Whether he does that is hugely unlikely imo. Man City have got a good player, perhaps a 25mil player. But 49mil is pure craziness and we simply couldn't turn that down - as someone said he's no Suarez, and never will be.
Is he a threat to Liverpool? Of course he is to a certain extent, but then so is the donkey Lukaku. The positive thing is if City play him they'll have to drop one of their other stars so in that sense I can't see him making a huge difference to Man City as a team.
Should we have sold him? Absolutely. His attitude stinks and we really could do without that in the position we're in. It's a shame as I remember when he first got some game time for the first 11 and he did make people sit on the edge of their seat - but he has regressed since then, no question about that. When he was part of SASAS he was the weakest link and often SAS made him look better than he actually was - hence his regression when SAS was no more.
Will I miss him? Yes and No. It's a shame that it didn't work out and he became so big headed, but the fame and fortune got the better of him and that's what he's chasing now. It's so hard to tell right now what he'll be like in 4 or 5 years, if he knuckles down he could be one of the best around. That's a massive IF though, and for us to hang onto him with his attitude to see if that IF becomes a reality when 49mil is shoved under our noises is a no brainier.
The club did the right thing, and I'm pleased with the outcome. We move on - only time will tell what becomes of the little yardie.